Holiday Happenings Keep Locals Hopping

PINE-STRAWBERRY

As I write this column, it is raining. It is a great day to stay at home, make a big pot of soup, sit in front of the fireplace and read a good book. I have to get this column turned in first though.

It appeared to be a week when I would have little to write about and then the information began pouring in.

Happening at Cyds

The Holiday Happening at Cyds and Gallery 87 is Saturday, Nov. 15, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be refreshments, entertainment and fun plus great treasures for gift-giving and keeping. Cyds and Gallery 87 are at 4004 North Highway 87. For more information call (928) 476-3220.

Chain saw class

Don't forget to sign up for the free chain saw class being offered by the Citizens Action Committee and taught by Rob Beery of the Payson Fire Department. The class is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15. Call Dan Mote at (928) 476-3257 for information or to register.

PC Users Group

The Pine Strawberry PC Users Group will meet Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 6:30 p.m. at the Senior Center in the Pine Community Center. This month's meeting will feature a demonstration of preparing charts and slides. Wes Suhr will show how he puts the East Verde watershed precipitation data into Excel charts and then transfers the data to a PowerPoint presentation. This program is for beginner and intermediate users and should be most interesting.

Fiddlers Jam Session

The Old Time Fiddlers Jam Session is Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 1 p.m. at the Pine Community Center Cultural Hall. All musicians are invited to take part. Everyone is invited to come and sing along or just relax and enjoy the foot-stomping music. There is no charge.

Tellabration 2003

Tellabration 2003 is Saturday evening, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Pine Cultural Hall. Tellabration is a worldwide event with simultaneous storytelling in communities throughout the world. This evening of storytelling is presented by the Pine-Strawberry Archeological and Historical society. Storytellers are Don Doyle, Dorothy Daniels Anderson, Douglas Bland, Ricardo Provencio and Liz Warren. Barb and Chuck of Trouble in Paradise will provide musical entertainment. Tickets are $5 and no tickets will be sold in advance. Doors open at 6 p.m.

More happenings

Looking Glass Books children's story time is the second and fourth Saturday of each month. On Saturday, Nov. 22 at 10 a.m., Children and parents are invited for a seasonal reading and Thanksgiving craft project. Looking Glass Books and Gifts is at 4140 North Highway 87, the north end of Pine.

Rim Country Kiwanis has been very busy of late. As part of the Reading is Fundamental Program, members read a book or two to preschool through third grades and each child is able to choose a book to take home. Children love having their own books. The little ones in particular are thrilled to discover that this book is theirs to keep forever. Three times a year, the Kiwanis provides this program to the school.

On the less glamorous side, Kiwanians gathered 17 bags of trash on their mile of road between Pine and Strawberry. Many thanks to Kiwanis.

The Pine Strawberry Arts and Crafts group has its gift shop open every Saturday and Sunday through November from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Craft Center in the Pine Community Center.

The Pine-Strawberry School Christmas Tree Auction and community Christmas Party will be Dec. 6 in the Cultural Hall. There will be caroling and fun for the whole family, including a visit from Santa. Watch for more details. This is a fund-raiser for the school. Everyone is invited.

Please notify me about upcoming events in Pine and Strawberry if you would like them mentioned in this column. You can fax or phone (928) 476-2239 or e-mail cpwrather@ earthlink.net.